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Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, addressed the G20 Interfaith Forum held under the theme “Faith in Action” in Cape Town, South Africa.

The G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20) offers an annual platform for a network of religiously linked institutions and initiatives to engage on global agendas — primarily the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — ahead of G20 Summits. Having participated in previous forums held in Bologna and Bali, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade attended the event at the invitation of the President of the Forum, Cole Durham.

Addressing the event, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade extended the greetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the forum participants.

In his remarks, Pashazade highlighted the existing challenges that pose huge risks for humanity, including xenophobia, ethnic and religious discrimination, incitement to hatred, attempts to incite clashes between civilizations, the negative impacts of artificial intelligence, the arms race, and the nuclear threat.

He said that Azerbaijan, a center of multiculturalism and tolerance, is actively involved in advancing global dialogue. In this vein, he noted the religious leaders’ active participation in climate action talks during the COP29 Conference in Baku last November.

The Sheikhulislam briefed the participants on Azerbaijan’s restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the UN’s relevant resolutions, the country’s ongoing restoration efforts in the liberated areas, the resettlement of the residents, as well as efforts to eradicate the consequences of ecocide and urbicide.

During the forum, he will also join various cultural programs and hold meetings with other event participants and official representatives.